There will be two Brentwood City Council seats on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election. They are both four-year terms.

Starting this week, nomination packets will be available in the city clerk’s office at City Hall, 150 City Park Way. Registered voters who live in Brentwood may file nomination petitions by the deadline of 5 p.m. Aug. 8.

There is no fee for the nomination packets. Candidates may file an optional candidate statement of up to 200 words, and it will be published in the election materials for a deposit of $387.50.

The Dow Chemical Company Community Advisory Panel has increased contributions to its grant program. This year, Dow upped the program funding to $30,000, doubling its previous total.

In 2013, six winners were awarded funding. The yearly competitive grant, which began in 2006, helps fund “sustainable community service projects” in East County. Each award ranges from $2,500 to $5,000.

According to the news release, the projects must support “hands-on science and math learning, contribute to the community’s success in the areas of educational opportunities or provide environmental protection” for residents.

The online application for the Dow CAP Grant Program is available through Sept. 19. Winners will be announced in October. For more information, visit www.dow.com/pittsburg/community/cap/

— Trine Gallegos, Correspondent

BRENTWOOD

Biddy Ball accepting players, volunteers

Brentwood’s Biddy Ball program is still accepting players and volunteer coaches. The summer league includes indoor soccer (for ages 3 to 5 years old) or basketball (ages 4-6) on Saturdays, July 19 through Sept. 13 (except Aug. 30) at Bristow Middle School.

The city of of Antioch’s environmental department has extended its summer vacation photo contest. Partnering with Republic Services, the contest encourages residents to share “What I Did on My Vacation” photos.

Julie Haas-Wajdowicz, environmental resource coordinator, wants recyclers to join in the EcoAntioch contest, which helps promote “conservation and recycling.” It runs through July 31.

The rules: Take a picture of you recycling on vacation or staycation and post to EcoAntioch on Facebook or Instagram with the tag #ecoantioch and #vacayrecycler.

BART is partnering with Monterey Bay Aquarium to provide free rides for field trips for Bay Area students for the 2014-15 school year.

About 40,000 students (up to age 18), teachers and chaperones will get the chance to win the transportation. Beginning in August, Bay Area schools may apply for free BART rides for educational field trips online on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Beyond the Headline” hosts and hold a wide-sweeping discussion about their experiences covering the devastating at the Ghost Ship warehouse that killed 36 people. They are joined by Bay Area News Group colleagues in award-winning investigative reporter , Oakland city beat reporter and seasoned photojournalist , who has the distinction of having been on scene for the Oakland’s two deadliest fires...